What a Teacher Wants, What a Teacher Needs is the brainchild of Jen Amos. Each year, Jen reached out to her friends who are teachers – not just in Indian River County, but throughout the country – to learn what supplies were needed for their classrooms. She purchased books, snacks, pillows, art supplies, anything her teacher friends needed to create an engaging, stimulating classroom for their students. While Jen knew her friends appreciated the supplies she gave, the thanks from the students made her donations each year even more special and meaningful.

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According to a 2021 survey of more than 5,000 pre-K through high school teachers at public, private, and charter schools across the country, teachers spend $1,000-$2,000 of their personal money annually on supplies for their classroom. This money is used to purchase:

• Non-consumable supplies such as books and software;

• Classroom décor;

• Consumable supplies such as paper, pencils, and art supplies;

• Food and snacks;

• Prizes; and

• Cleaning supplies.

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Providing these resources is an important aspect of children’s education and development, creating an optimal learning environment is missing from the toolbox of helping to nurture confident, well-rounded students. This process begins at an early age – as early as pre-kindergarten – and is fostered through ensuring the classroom is intellectually stimulating, has a safe and empowering atmosphere, and that the students have access to the tools they need – whether these tools are in the form of art supplies, books, or other educational materials.

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By creating this type of atmosphere, children are better behaved, are more pre-disposed to and excited about learning, and develop life-long habits they will use throughout high school, college, and their careers.